HARRISBURG, PA—Officials of Shaner Hotels, an award winning, international hotel owner, operator and developer, today announced the groundbreaking of the 120-room Fairfield Inn & Suites Harrisburg. Located at the Harrisburg International Airport (HIA) Airport, the four-story hotel is owned by Shaner Hotels on land leased from the Susquehanna Area Regional Airport Authority (SARAA), a joint-municipal authority that operates four regional airports. The property will be managed by Shaner and was financed by Kish Bank based in State College, Pa.

“The Fairfield Inn & Suites Harrisburg provides an important component for HIA’s continued growth as the first hotel to be located adjacent to the airport,” said Timothy Edwards, HIA executive director. “Currently, the closest hotel is approximately seven miles away, which can prove inconvenient for arriving and departing travelers. We did considerable research regarding demand for a hotel, the proper segment and an operator with knowledge of the market and an excellent reputation. We believe this property will enhance the airport’s capabilities and stimulate further growth in the area.”

“With our headquarters in State College, this hotel really is part of our extended hometown, an area in which we have operated for more than two decades,” added Lance Shaner, chairman and CEO. “In addition to being literally connected to the airport terminals via walkway, the hotel will be the first Marriott-branded hotel near the airport, which we expect to stimulate additional demand. This marks our fourth property in Central Pa., with an additional project slated to commence in Mechanicsburg in the near future. We look forward to being good neighbors and active members of the community for years to come.”

Located adjacent to the Harrisburg International Airport (HIA), the site is just steps from the Middletown business community and Penn State Harrisburg Campus. The proposed property will feature such amenities as on-site laundry, fitness room, business center and 1,600 square feet of meeting space. As with all Fairfield Inn & Suites, guests will enjoy a daily, complimentary breakfast, as well as a lobby lounge and full-service bar that offers a wide array of drinks and small bites food menu.

“This hotel is an ideal addition to our growing, international portfolio of select- and full-service hotels located in key markets with strong demand generators and high barriers to entry,” said Plato Ghinos, Shaner president. “HIA provides transportation to more 1.3 million passengers and 100 million pounds of cargo annually. Furthermore, it is just a short drive to such major attractions such as HersheyPark, Hershey’s Chocolate World, the PSU Hershey Medical Center and downtown Harrisburg, creating a strong lodging demand for leisure and business travelers alike.”

HIA serves central Pennsylvania, making it the state’s third busiest airport. All major airlines have hub locations at the airport, including non-stop international flights to Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Additionally, FedEx and UPS have extensive facilities at the airport, which also serves as a take-off/landing practice runway for Air Force One.

“SARAA have been incredible partners throughout the entire process,” Ghinos added. “The airport has been under master plan for decades to bring a hotel to the terminal, and it is gratifying to help complete that process.”